About

Ayurveda, the Science of Life

Ayurveda is a comprehensive system of healthcare which originated in India over five thousand years ago. The fundamental healing principles which are the cornerstone of Ayurveda are to be found in the various sacred texts of ancient India such as the Rigveda and the Atharva Veda.

Ayurveda is derived from two Sanskrit words: ‘Ayur’ meaning life and ‘Veda’ which means knowledge. Original classical Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita (CS) and Sushruta Samhita (SS) were documented over a thousand years B.C.

Ayurveda, the science of life, is concerned with the maintenance of health, enhancing the quality of life, the prevention of ill health as well as the treatment of disease. Unlike other systems of medicine which provide only symptomatic treatment, Ayurveda lays emphasis on treating the underlying cause of illness. It is a holistic science, taking into account all aspects of one’s life such as physical and mental constitution, lifestyle and deficiencies of the individual. The ancient teachings of Ayurveda provide a vast guide of practical advice and wisdom on almost every imaginable aspect of one’s life and the approach to one’s health.

Background and Philosophy

Ayurveda is firmly embedded in Indian philosophy and evolved according to the five basic elements that comprise the universe (the panchamahabhutas).

Space / ether

Air

Fire

Water

Earth

These five elements (Panchamahabhutas) are present in all things, and in the human body they manifest as ‘doshas’. A person is said to have a particular dosha depending on the predominance of the 5 basic elements in their body.

‘An individual is an epitome of the universe as all the material and spiritual phenomena of the universe are present in the individual and all those present in the individual http://healthlibr.com are also contained in the universe.’

Charaka Samhita. Sha 5/3

Each of us is born with an individual constitution called the Prakriti. Our Prakriti is determined by environmental factors as well as the state of our parents’ doshas at the time of conception. The three doshas are known by their Sanskrit names of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Everyone’s constitution is governed by all three doshas in varying degrees.

Vata type

(predominant in space and air element)
Vatas are often thin with narrow bones, have dry skin and have a tendency to feel cold. They are uncomfortable in cold weather, especially if it is dry and windy. They also talk and walk fast and are always in a rush.

Vata type persons have quick and creative minds but they are also worriers and are prone to anxiety, disease of the large intestine, the immune system, nervous system, joints, constipation, colitis, arthritis, irregular periods and chronic fatigue syndrome.

General guidelines for balancing Vata are to keep warm, calm, avoid raw foods, cold foods, extremely cold temperatures, and are encouraged to eat warm food and spices as well as keeping a regular routine.

Pitta type

(predominant in fire and water)
Pittas are often fair and freckled. They are intolerant to heat, are prone to having excessive heat in the face, and sweat easily. Pittas have a tendency to have moles and pimples. They have excessive hunger and thirst; and can develop wrinkles early in life, as well as premature greying of the hair and hair loss. Pitta dosha have a sharp intellect. Out of balance they become easily agitated, argumentative, and short tempered. Pittas are prone to burning sensations of the skin, fevers, sore throats, inflammatory disease, disease of the small intestine, jaundice, hepatitis, skin rashes, hyper acidity, reflux, thyroid problems, eye disease, burning of the eyes and blood disorder.

General guidelines for balancing Pitta are to avoid excessive heat, limit salt intake, eat cooling, non spicy foods, drink cool drinks (not iced), and exercise during the cooler part of the day.

Kapha type

(predominant in earth and water)
Kaphas may be oily-skinned, with thick wavy hair, and solid builds. They are blessed with strength, endurance and stamina. They are calm, tolerant and forgiving. They can comfortably skip meals and work for long periods without food. They may be slower to learn but have an excellent long term memory unlike Vata types who are prone to forgetfulness. Kaphas have a sweet tooth, their metabolism is slow and they are prone to weight gain, water retention, mucus, bronchial congestion, asthma, sinuses, diabetes, depression, and diseases of the lungs, stomach, and pancreas.

General guidelines for balancing Kapha are to get plenty of exercise, avoid heavy foods, dairy products, iced food and drink, fatty or oily foods. Eat light and dry food.

In Ayurveda the importance is not only on assessing the body constitution (Prakriti) but the mind has equal importance. There is a powerful link between the physical body and the mind.

Mental constitution

Not only are there three main constitutional types of the body, the Tridosha, (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) but the mind also has its own constitution. The mind can be either sattvic, rajasic or tamasic or a combination of all three.

Tamasic (inertia, ignorance) people are more lazy, ignorant, lethargic, dishonest and easily deluded.

Pathogenic factors in the body are Vayu, Pitta and Kapha while those in the mind are rajas and tamas. – Ch. Su 1:57

Ayurveda prescribes different regimes to balance the doshas. The doshas need to be in a state of equilibrium for the body and mind to remain in a state of sound health.

Ayurvedic perspective on health, disease and treatment

Health is the condition of wisdom and the signs of happiness Charaka Samhita

The western concept of medicine is predominantly focused on treating the symptoms of disease. In contrast, Ayurveda attempts to identify the root problem and aims to eliminate the cause(s) of imbalance of the doshas. Eliminating the imbalance of doshas by elimination therapies help in the prevention of their recurrence. The doshas can be compared to a tree. Unless the tree is uprooted from its root, it will grow (in spite of its branches etc being chopped off).
In Ayurveda, it is thought that disease is the effect of disequilibrium of the doshas while health is the result of their equilibrium. Ayurvedic philosophy gives us three key causes of imbalance leading to disease. They are:

unsuitable use of the senses (e.g. exposure to too much sunlight, or artificial light)

actions / making the wrong decision (e.g. wrong diet)

effects of time (eg: ageing, seasonal change)

The aim of Ayurveda is to prevent disease though a disciplined daily or seasonal routine, herbal formulations, massage, immunity boosting and other detoxification procedures according to individual needs and body constitution.